In the years leading up to the American Revolutionary War, the American population could be divided into three categories based on their political views. There were those who wanted to remain loyal to Great Britain at all costs, called Torries. The moderates wished to resolve the differences between England and the colonies and use war only as a last resort. The militants, however, believed that it was already to late to make amends with Britain, and that the only option left was war. Among this revolutionary margin was was a pamphleteer named Thomas Paine. His most famous pamphlet, "Common Sense" expresses militant views about law, community, and government.
Law
Naturally, in "Common Sense," Paine subtely impied his militant views on the laws that had recently been imposed apon the colonies by Great Britain, the Intolerable Acts. Although he did not specifically mention them, he explained the horrible effects they had on the city of Boston. "The inhabitants of that unfortunate city, who but a few months ago were in ease and affluence, have now no other alternative than to stay and starve, or turn out to beg" (Paine). He also made clear that even the repeal of these hated laws would not mend the wounds they caused. "To say, they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary, we thought so at the repeal of the stamp act, yet a year or two undeceived us;" (Paine). Although Paine never mentioned the Intolerable Acts by name, he leaves no question as to his militant feelings towards them.
Community
Paine's opinion of the American community as a potentially powerful one was also an important aspect of his militant writing. He believed that the colonies, if they united, could resist the British. "It is not in numbers but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world" (Paine). He also believed that the colonies could and would thrive without any connection to Great Britain. "We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty. But even this is admitting more than is true; for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her" (Paine). In Paine's opinion, a united continent would be strong both militarily and economically.
Government
Most importantly, Thomas Paine's ideas about the advantages of an independent government were strongly expressed through his work "Common Sense". Thomas Paine believed that America should have it's own government, and in that government god should be the king. In "Common Sense" Paine writes, "But where, say some, is the king of America? I'll tell you, friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the royal brute of Great Britain" (Paine) Thomas Paine also stated in his work that he believed that America should not succumb to Great Britain's rule, because Great Britain alone wasn't America's mother country, all of Europe was. "As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while, by her dependance on Britain, she is made the makeweight in the scale of British politics" (Paine). These are likely Paine's most important points of all, because he makes clear his opinion that an American government could succeed.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Thomas Paine was a militant who expressed his views through his writings. His beliefs on the topics of law, community, and government are the same militant views that inspired the American Revolution.
By: John Veiszlemlein, Tyler Bauer, Taylor Kern
Introduction to Thomas Paine's Beliefs
In the years leading up to the American Revolutionary War, the American population could be divided into three categories based on their political views. There were those who wanted to remain loyal to Great Britain at all costs, called Torries. The moderates wished to resolve the differences between England and the colonies and use war only as a last resort. The militants, however, believed that it was already to late to make amends with Britain, and that the only option left was war. Among this revolutionary margin was was a pamphleteer named Thomas Paine. His most famous pamphlet, "Common Sense" expresses militant views about law, community, and government.Law
Naturally, in "Common Sense," Paine subtely impied his militant views on the laws that had recently been imposed apon the colonies by Great Britain, the Intolerable Acts. Although he did not specifically mention them, he explained the horrible effects they had on the city of Boston. "The inhabitants of that unfortunate city, who but a few months ago were in ease and affluence, have now no other alternative than to stay and starve, or turn out to beg" (Paine). He also made clear that even the repeal of these hated laws would not mend the wounds they caused. "To say, they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary, we thought so at the repeal of the stamp act, yet a year or two undeceived us;" (Paine). Although Paine never mentioned the Intolerable Acts by name, he leaves no question as to his militant feelings towards them.Community
Paine's opinion of the American community as a potentially powerful one was also an important aspect of his militant writing. He believed that the colonies, if they united, could resist the British. "It is not in numbers but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world" (Paine). He also believed that the colonies could and would thrive without any connection to Great Britain. "We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty. But even this is admitting more than is true; for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her" (Paine). In Paine's opinion, a united continent would be strong both militarily and economically.Government
Most importantly, Thomas Paine's ideas about the advantages of an independent government were strongly expressed through his work "Common Sense". Thomas Paine believed that America should have it's own government, and in that government god should be the king. In "Common Sense" Paine writes, "But where, say some, is the king of America? I'll tell you, friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the royal brute of Great Britain" (Paine) Thomas Paine also stated in his work that he believed that America should not succumb to Great Britain's rule, because Great Britain alone wasn't America's mother country, all of Europe was. "As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while, by her dependance on Britain, she is made the makeweight in the scale of British politics" (Paine). These are likely Paine's most important points of all, because he makes clear his opinion that an American government could succeed.Conclusion
There is no doubt that Thomas Paine was a militant who expressed his views through his writings. His beliefs on the topics of law, community, and government are the same militant views that inspired the American Revolution.Bibliography
Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Philadelphia: 1776. 28 September, 2008. www.constitution.org/tp/comsense.htm.